Clearing advice for international and EU students

CONTENTS

1. What's Clearing?

2. Can international students use Clearing?

3. Is there a difference for international students in Clearing?

4. Using Clearing successfully

5. How long is Clearing open for?

What's Clearing?

Clearing allows students who've got their results but haven't yet got a university place to find a course that suits them. You can use Clearing to find one of the thousands of unallocated places at UK universities.

Can international students use Clearing?

Yes, Clearing can be used by non-UK students. International students are eligible if they've:

• Applied through UCAS at an earlier stage (including after 30 June)
• Been rejected by their firm and insurance choices
• Applied to a course before 30 June but weren't made an offer
• Qualified academically for a firm or insurance offer but decided not to take it up
• Paid the full application fee of £27 for two – five choices

Using Clearing successfully

Research courses before results day

To prepare for the possibility of having to use Clearing, find courses you can apply through Clearing using our Clearing course search from 1 July every year. You can filter the results by subject, location, grades, and even see your chance of acceptance. 

Find university contacts

To use Clearing, you have to contact universities by phone or email. You'll find the Clearing contact numbers through our Clearing course search, on university profiles, and university websites – there'll usually be a number for students calling from outside the UK.

Talk to universities or use online chat methods

Discuss your academic qualifications, English proficiency, visa status, and your academic qualifications.

Consider your options

Universities can and will make informal offers over the phone. You can consider informal offers from a variety of universities and usually will have one or two days to decide which one you want to accept. Use this time to do more research.

Accept an offer

Once you've decided which university you want to go to, contact them, and give them your UCAS ID number and password. This university will then appear on your UCAS Track as an offer you can accept. Remember, you can only enter one Clearing choice at a time, but if the university fails to confirm your place, you should pick another.

Get a student visa

Once you've accepted an offer, you must obtain a visa if required. You'll need:

• Evidence you've accepted an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor – they'll issue a reference number known as a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which you'll need to supply
• An English language test certificate, if specified
• Evidence you can afford to study and live in the UK if needed

Visa applications and confirmation of English language tests may take time so make sure you're realistic about this. However, many countries have fast-track visa services through the UK Government, sometimes for an extra fee.

How long is Clearing open for?

Clearing is open from 5 July  – until 17 October 2023.

If you still have questions about Clearing, take a look at our general Clearing guide, read answers to our FAQs , or ask one of our experts.